Robert Neil Haas, 73, of Hillcrest, NY, passed away quietly on Monday, August 25 after a 3½-year struggle with cancer. A Binghamton resident since 1967, he was a systems engineer with Singer Link Flight Simulation (now L-3 Communications) until retiring in 2002. This father of four is survived by his wife, Brenda V. Haas; daughter, Kirsten, of Atlanta, GA; sons, Rolfe, Matthew and Daniel, who all reside in New York, NY; hand-selected son, Dana Christensen of Richmond, VA; granddaughters, Clare and Ainsley; and sister, Reverend Carol Trax, of Vero Beach, FL. Robert graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a BSE in 1962. He is credited with two patents which revolutionized the flight simulation industry. He also worked on projects for NASA, the US Air Force, and other international military defense agencies. The family would like to thank Sharon Miller, Barbara Ryder and other employees of Lourdes Hospice for their caring support over the last few months.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at the Wm. R. Chase & Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson, with Rev. Daniel Ling officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday, August 28, 2009. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, those interested may make a donation to Lourdes Hospice (607) 798-5692 and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=8477)

In the early hours of August 8th, 2009, Wilmer C. Heater (Mike), 79, of Chenango Bridge, NY joined his wife, Tove in Heaven. Mike passed away peacefully at his home in his sleep after fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was cared for in his home by his loving family, especially his granddaughter, Jackie. He was predeceased by his wife, Tove on January 27th, 1999, after over 41 years of marriage. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Debbie and Marv Sturdevant of Chenango Bridge, NY, and Diana and Bruce Swagler of Port Crane, NY. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Brent and Rachel Atwood of Lehighton, PA, Jackie Atwood of Chenango Bridge, NY, Jen and Joe Garritano of Newark, NY, Dustin Sturdevant of Chenango Bridge, NY, Derek Sturdevant of Chenango Bridge, NY, and Matthew Swagler of Port Crane, NY; and great-grandson, Nicholas Garritano of Newark, NY. He is also survived by his sisters, Mae Stoddard of Montrose, PA, Ruth Gunther of Binghamton, NY; sister-in-law, Betty and Alex Hunter of Binghamton, NY; and several nieces and nephews. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He retired from Singer-Link after 32 years of dedicated service working on such things as the Apollo and other jet simulators. Mike was a handyman who enjoyed working in his workshop. He also enjoyed the outdoors and spent many hours bird watching. Mike's family would like to thank the Lourdes Hospice staff, especially his nurse, Barbara and nurse's aide, Rhonda for their exceptional care in Mike's last months. We would also like to thank Mike's neighbors, Tim and Liz Strnatka, Dennis and Pat Cluck and Gene and Kathy Nearing for their friendship over the years.

At Mike's request, there will be no service. Burial will be in the South Street Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being made by Wm. R. Chase and Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson, NY. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Lourdes Hospice, 4102 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, NY 13850.

John J. Chapuk, 81, passed away Monday, August 3, 2009 after a brief illness. He was born in Witherbee, NY, the son of Michael and Michaelina (Ziemaitis) Chapuk. He was predeceased by his son, John M. Chapuk; his brothers, Michael, Walter, Joseph, and Martin Chapuk. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Joanne Chapuk, Binghamton; his daughter, Kathryn A. Gerrish; and grandson, Anthony J. Dix, Maine. Also survived by nieces and nephews. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was past faithful navigator. He enjoyed sports and was a referee and umpire. He was employed for thirty five years by Singer Link. He was a member of Saints John and Andrew Church. He was a very quiet private person who enjoyed life and the love of his family and friends.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday 10:00 a.m. at Saints John and Andrew RC Church, 1263 Vestal Avenue, Binghamton. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Saints John and Andrew Church Thursday from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry c/o Saints John and Andrew Church, 1263 Vestal Ave., Binghamton, NY 13903. Arrangements handled by the DeMunn Funeral Home, 36 Conklin Ave., Binghamton, NY

M. Juanita Malinich, formerly of Binghamton and Vestal, NY, died at her home in Hurlock, MD, on August 2, 2009, at the age of 90. Born December 1, 1918 in Clinton, IN, she was the daughter of the late David Rivera and Clara Walraven Rivera. She is survived by four loving children, Donna J. Ross and her husband, Donald of Glen Aubrey, NY, Wallace R. Baker and his wife, Pam of Ironton, MO, Darlene J. Malinich of Hurlock, MD and Tamarra A. Hill and her husband, Early of Cumming, GA; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack Rivera of LaMarque, TX and many nieces and nephews; a very special life long friend, Millie Juncer; and pet, furry friend Kitkat. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Malinich, who died September 9, 2006; two brothers Wendall Rivera and Lloyd Rivera; and granddaughter, Tracy Ross. She was raised in Clinton, IN and Waukegan, IL; working at Abbott Pharmaceutical Company in Waukegan during the early years of WWII. She met Walter when he was stationed in the US Navy at the Great Lakes Naval Training Base and they were married on December 23, 1944. They began their married life in Binghamton where she enjoyed a career at Link Aviation and later with IBM. She had a love of swimming, golfing, bowling, dancing and traveling; but there was no greater love than the love of her family. Juanita reached out to anyone in need, always rooting for the underdog and always the consummate friend. Her quiet acts of kindness were so vast, only she knew about them all and never felt the desire to share them. She was beautiful both on the inside and outside; tough but fair; small but VERY mighty. She taught many to drive a car, ride a bike or swim. She was honest, reliable and responsible and consistently led by example. Upon retiring from IBM in 1984, she and Walter moved to Clermont, FL where they were able to enjoy the next 20 years golfing, traveling and visiting children and grandchildren in Georgia, Maryland and back to New York. Family and friends alike, enjoyed listening to her stories about the “war years” and never tired of hearing her sing the old songs of years past. She leaves an unmistakable legacy to her family and friends and a wisdom and love that will endure for generations.

Funeral services were held on August 10, 2009 at Maryland Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Beulah. Douglas Albert, pastor for Coastal Hospice, officiated. Walter's and Juanita's remains were interred together at the Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Juanita to the Humane Society of Dorchester County, 4390 Bucktown Road, Cambridge, MD 21613. Arrangements were made by Zeller Funeral Home, East New Market, MD.